Recent News & Blog / Nonprofit
D&O insurance: How nonprofits can reduce liability risk
Not-for-profit organizations may operate under the assumption that their missions and their board members’ good intentions protect them from litigation. Sometimes, this assumption is proven wrong with a lawsuit.
Protect your organization’s fragile tax-exempt status
Not-for-profit organizations are different from for-profit businesses in many vital ways. One of the most crucial differences is that under Section 501(c)(3), Sec. 501(c)(7) and other provisions, nonprofits are tax-exempt. But your tax-exempt status is fragile.
Nonprofits: Heed these financial danger signs
Many not-for-profits are just starting to emerge from one of the most challenging environments in recent memory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even if your organization is in good shape, don’t get too comfortable.
Whistleblower policies protect both staffers and your nonprofit
According to the Nonprofit Times, only 41% of not-for-profits have whistleblower policies. Perhaps nonprofit leaders believe their organizations are too small or collegial to worry about illicit activities — let alone people reporting them.
Nonprofits: Hit your targets with benchmarking
How committed is your not-for-profit organization to benchmarking? Perhaps you think it makes sense in the for-profit sphere, but not as much for charities and other nonprofits. If so, you’re probably missing out on benefits — including long-term sustainability.
Defrauded? How to help your nonprofit recover
Thousands of not-for-profit organizations fall victim to embezzlement schemes every year — some even losing millions of dollars. But losses go beyond actual dollar amounts. The hit to a group’s reputation may scare off donors, grantmakers and other supporters.
It may be time to tune up your nonprofit’s accounting function
Many organizations get stuck in procedural ruts because it’s easier in the short term to continue doing things the way they’ve always been done. But it generally pays to regularly review your not-for-profit’s accounting function for inefficiencies and oversight gaps.
New revenue idea? Watch out for the commerciality doctrine
If your not-for-profit has lost financial support during the pandemic, you may be looking for ways to raise new revenue. But if your proposed solution is a side business, be careful.
How well do your nonprofit’s development and accounting departments communicate?
Your accounting and development departments are central to the continued financial health of your not-for-profit. So what happens when communication between these two functions break down?
Valuing noncash donations: A cheat sheet
Many not-for-profits experience a flood of last-minute donations at the end of the year. Although cash is easy to value, valuing noncash property donations is trickier. If you’re struggling to assign amounts to contributions — either for a donor or your own records — review this cheat sheet.